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He shook his head. “There was no mistakin’ Cadwaladr’s colors on their tabards, but they kept their hoods up to cover their faces.”

Was it possible that Leif was right about Cadwaladr’s innocence? It seemed odd that the men who so flagrantly flaunted the nobleman’s colors took pains to hide their personal identities.

“Did they say or do anything that would enable you to recognize them again?”

Dai finished refilling the stallion’s feed trough with oats before straightening. “One was taller than the other. The short one spoke fer them both. There weren’t anythin’ special about the way he spoke, but when he took the reins from me, I saw that he was missin’ half his forefinger on his right hand.”

Rhiannon stared at him. “Have you shared this with anyone else?”

“No one asked. I supposed those in authority had already sorted out who the men were.”

Rhiannon was well aware that as a female and a visitor to the castle, there was a great deal that would not be shared with her, but she was equally sure that if Leif knew of this detail, he would already be using it to locate the man in question. “I cannot tell you what is known and what is not,” she said, “but I would beg you to be careful. Such knowledge is dangerous.”

“I am nothing more than an old groom, Miss Rhiannon. I wield little power. No one will feel threatened by me.”

Rhiannon was less certain, but she mustered another smile. “What of the young stableboys?”

Dai chuckled. “You have me there. They quake in their boots if I ever catch ’em neglectin’ their work.”

Rhiannon laughed. The simple act eased her disquiet, and even though she knew the reprieve would be short-lived, it was a gift.

“I am grateful to you for brightening my day, Dai,” she said. “The royal family of Deheubarth is fortunate to have you at the castle.”

“I don’ know ’bout that.” He reached for the stall’s gate. “But I will say that I’d rather be with these ’orses than just about anywhere else.” He gave her a knowing look. “If I remember right, you feel somethin’ similar for the sea.”

Rhiannon followed him out of the stall. “True. And the nearby river, although impressive in its own way, is not quite the same.”

“Not at all.” His eyes twinkled in the half light. “I’m right glad you chose the stable over the water this morning, Miss Rhiannon. It was a treat to see you again.”

“I am returning to the castle,” Leif said, standing over Knud’s bed with his hands on his hips.

Knud blinked away sleep and looked up at him. “One day, you will run out of terrible ideas.”

“I shall announce myself as Leif, son of Jarl Ottar of Dyflin, and shall demand to see Cadell and Owain Gwynedd.”

Knud laid his arm across his eyes and groaned. “I gather that my longed-for day of sanity is not today.”

“It has to be done, Knud. I have been thinking on it all night. If our theory about Cadwaladr being the intended victim is correct, Owain Gwynedd’s life may well be in jeopardy.”

“He has guards,” Knud said. “Lots of them.”

“So did Anarawd.”

Knud thrust his arm from his face. “Well, if they are not employed guarding the king, they will be escorting you to the dungeon. Need I remind you that you are a Viking? They will take you away before you’re given a chance to open your mouth.”

“I am not a Viking,” Leif growled. “I am a Norseman.”

“The Cymry do not know the difference.”

Unfortunately, there was truth behind Knud’s assertion, along with a high likelihood that he would not make it past the castle gates if he attempted to enter with his real identity. “What do you suggest, then?”

“What do I suggest?” Knud sat up on his bed and reached for his tunic. “I suggest that you follow through on the pledges you made yesterday. First, you accompany me to the market to purchase a goblet for Frida.” He raised an eyebrow. “Unless you’d rather pillage a local church for one, of course.”

Leif folded his arms across his chest. “That last comment does not deign a response. What do you propose we do after going to the market?”

“We wait until day’s end,” Knud said simply. “That is what you told me we would do. If, by any chance, Rhiannon chooses to supply you with information or the proof you have been seeking by then, your chances of being granted an audience at the castle will go up significantly.”

Leif could not deny the sense of urgency he’d experienced when he’d awoken this morning, but neither could he fault Knud’s logic.